Am I the only one who warns horse riders?
Comments
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It seems my original post has confirmed a few things:
1. At least 95% of us warn horse riders we are coming. That's great to know
2. Up to 5% of us are sarcastic and claim to purposely frighten horses. I'll give these the benefit of the doubt and assume they are just being funny :roll:
3. A non trivial proportion of respondents have hi-jacked the thread and turned it into yet another slanging match
4. One respondent made me spit my coffee out at work laughing. And I am ashamed to say that this was because I found it amusing to imagine an air horn being used as a means of communicating a friendly warning to the horse riders
5. Someone else claims to hold sheep staring competitions whilst out on bike rides :?:
6. Someone else confirmed that they use the term 'moo cows' and that they talk to them
7. And finally, it appears that we none of us fail to warn horse riders. How tremendous 8)Trek Project One Series 6 Madone 2010
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Some mountain bikes gathering dust0 -
''liability shouldn't be an issue''
It will be an issue if you cause a rider to fall from her horse and she is off work injured. You will be glad you were insured then. I know of a bloke who is rumoured to have been awarded a million in damages for whiplash.
agreed don't have accidents, but anyone can have a bad day.Raleigh Eclipse, , Dahon Jetstream XP, Raleigh Banana, Dawes super galaxy, Raleigh Clubman
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Thank god, I thought I was the only one who made the animal noises! HahaCleat Eastwood wrote:I alwaus say hello; even if you're too shy or in strava capturing mode if you slow down they rider can normally hear the bike approaching.
Mind you I also say hello to horses in the field and moocows and sheepses.0 -
I've been vexed by the question of whether to announce my presence or not when coming up on horses for some years. I got to know a few horsey types a while ago and asked them a simple question. Would you rather a cyclist shouts as they approach? I've asked this of every horse rider I've ever met since.
The answers so far have been about 60% in favour of making some sort of noise. The ones that preferred not to usually claim that as the horses eyes are on the sides of their heads, they can generally see you coming anyway. The shout startles the rider, which then spooks the horse as they twitch. The others would prefer some sort of warning, but nothing too 'panicky'. I usually give plenty of room, slow down, freewheel or change gear to make some high frequency noise and say 'Bike Behind' in a calm voice.
Maybe we should go onto a horsey forum and ask the question again. Does anybody know if there is a HorseRadar? I bet it's full of Trolls as well.0 -
Personally, I treat horses with a ton of respect. After all, no matter how good the rider is, they're not 100% in control of the animal, and it's a bloody big animal! We're in a pretty horsey area round here, and I have to say most riders are of the polite, competent, and smiley type, so doesn't feel like a chore to slow down. Okay, so they can be a total pain in the arse off-road by virtue of being impossible to pass due to lack of space, but hey, live and let live.
Probably full of stuff along the lines of...HiDidleyHi wrote:Maybe we should go onto a horsey forum and ask the question again. Does anybody know if there is a HorseRadar?
"No, rule #4 applies. You should never change out of s**t-covered boots and jodhpurs when popping into Costa, regardless of the smell. How else are people going to know you're a well 'ard and skilful practitioner of the equine arts if you don't look and smell like you've been doing press-ups in six inches of sloppy turds!"
"Can you post some proper pics please? The horse should be perpendicular to the camera, stirrups should be stupidly high, take the blinkers off, and there's no Volvo in the background!"
"Horses swim well. It's only the Firth of Forth. HTFU!"Mangeur0 -
HiDidleyHi wrote:I've been vexed by the question of whether to announce my presence or not when coming up on horses for some years.
<snip>
The shout startles the rider, which then spooks the horse as they twitch. The others would prefer some sort of warning, but nothing too 'panicky'. I usually give plenty of room, slow down, freewheel or change gear to make some high frequency noise and say 'Bike Behind' in a calm voice.
Maybe we should go onto a horsey forum and ask the question again. Does anybody know if there is a HorseRadar? I bet it's full of Trolls as well.
A sudden "sharp" and loud noise could well startle the rider and/or horse if they haven't seen you ... So like you, I make a little bit of quiet noise and often call out a friendly "hello" or "hi" if they don't appear to have heard.
I'm as concerned for myself/fellow riders as I am for the rider/horse - they're big animals and could easily hurt you quite badly if they kicked out - and the horses are worse!
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Bozman wrote:Horses should stick to fields, I've had far too many near misses riding round country lanes, you get the standard - " this is not a race track!), true but if I'd been a car you'd have a dead horse or a huge vets bill.
A car ran in to a couple of horses near my house, the horses were two a breast(sounds familiar) on a windy country lane, a car comes the other way and there was nothing the car could do, I'd guess that the Findus truck turned up within 30 mins.
and you think the drivers were in the right?
No wonder cyclists get a bad name on country roads.
Heaven help us all. :shock:0 -
Navrig wrote:Bozman wrote:Horses should stick to fields, I've had far too many near misses riding round country lanes, you get the standard - " this is not a race track!), true but if I'd been a car you'd have a dead horse or a huge vets bill.
A car ran in to a couple of horses near my house, the horses were two a breast(sounds familiar) on a windy country lane, a car comes the other way and there was nothing the car could do, I'd guess that the Findus truck turned up within 30 mins.
and you think the drivers were in the right?
No wonder cyclists get a bad name on country roads.
Heaven help us all. :shock:
The driver wasn't prosecuted, so was he in the wrong?0 -
AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
"Can you post some proper pics please? The horse should be perpendicular to the camera, stirrups should be stupidly high, take the blinkers off, and there's no Volvo in the background!"
I like this !!0 -
Bozman wrote:Navrig wrote:Bozman wrote:Horses should stick to fields, I've had far too many near misses riding round country lanes, you get the standard - " this is not a race track!), true but if I'd been a car you'd have a dead horse or a huge vets bill.
A car ran in to a couple of horses near my house, the horses were two a breast(sounds familiar) on a windy country lane, a car comes the other way and there was nothing the car could do, I'd guess that the Findus truck turned up within 30 mins.
and you think the drivers were in the right?
No wonder cyclists get a bad name on country roads.
Heaven help us all. :shock:
The driver wasn't prosecuted, so was he in the wrong?
Sounds to me like he was ? Maybe the police didnt have enough to go on - but it worries me that you think its fine to drive round corners with no chance of stopping if there's something in the way ? Horses are usually pretty bloody tall too - so you can spot the buggers miles off.
https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-dr ... 117-to-126 Here you go - Rule 126.0 -
cougie wrote:Bozman wrote:Navrig wrote:Bozman wrote:Horses should stick to fields, I've had far too many near misses riding round country lanes, you get the standard - " this is not a race track!), true but if I'd been a car you'd have a dead horse or a huge vets bill.
A car ran in to a couple of horses near my house, the horses were two a breast(sounds familiar) on a windy country lane, a car comes the other way and there was nothing the car could do, I'd guess that the Findus truck turned up within 30 mins.
and you think the drivers were in the right?
No wonder cyclists get a bad name on country roads.
Heaven help us all. :shock:
The driver wasn't prosecuted, so was he in the wrong?
Sounds to me like he was ? Maybe the police didnt have enough to go on - but it worries me that you think its fine to drive round corners with no chance of stopping if there's something in the way ? Horses are usually pretty bloody tall too - so you can spot the buggers miles off.
https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-dr ... 117-to-126 Here you go - Rule 126.
We're really off subject here. The point - if you ride or drive in the middle of a country lane you will probably get hit, whether it's a couple of horses, a group of cyclists or a dickhead in a saxo. Prevention is the key, you stay left.0 -
Have had a couple of encounters of the equine kind since this thread started and on both occasions I stopped and asked the rider if it was ok to pass. A little courtesy and consideration never goes amiss I find0
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Bozman wrote:Navrig wrote:Bozman wrote:Horses should stick to fields, I've had far too many near misses riding round country lanes, you get the standard - " this is not a race track!), true but if I'd been a car you'd have a dead horse or a huge vets bill.
A car ran in to a couple of horses near my house, the horses were two a breast(sounds familiar) on a windy country lane, a car comes the other way and there was nothing the car could do, I'd guess that the Findus truck turned up within 30 mins.
and you think the drivers were in the right?
No wonder cyclists get a bad name on country roads.
Heaven help us all. :shock:
The driver wasn't prosecuted, so was he in the wrong?
Lack of prosecution doesn't make him right. It simply means that the CPS didn't think there was enough evidence to merit a case.0 -
Bozman wrote:
We're really off subject here. The point - if you ride or drive in the middle of a country lane you will probably get hit, whether it's a couple of horses, a group of cyclists or a dickhead in a saxo. Prevention is the key, you stay left.
That's ridiculous. What would help is not having nobs hurtling round blind bends in cars not able to stop in time. How can you stay left if theres a huge pothole there - or a flood - or mud - or a dead badger or a fridge ? Most country lanes are narrow - and left is usually pretty close to the centre of the road anyway. Riding in a central position is usually the best way to ride - then motorists have to think before blasting past you - and you also have more road to play with. Hugging the gutter is a mugs game.
FFS - I've had a Beemer come towards me round a wide bend on a country lane half way over my side (when there was really no need) and the t*sser beeped at us ? If people ride/drive sensibly - there's no issue. Drive like an eedjit and there is.0 -
cougie wrote:Bozman wrote:
We're really off subject here. The point - if you ride or drive in the middle of a country lane you will probably get hit, whether it's a couple of horses, a group of cyclists or a dickhead in a saxo. Prevention is the key, you stay left.
That's ridiculous. What would help is not having nobs hurtling round blind bends in cars not able to stop in time. How can you stay left if theres a huge pothole there - or a flood - or mud - or a dead badger or a fridge ? Most country lanes are narrow - and left is usually pretty close to the centre of the road anyway. Riding in a central position is usually the best way to ride - then motorists have to think before blasting past you - and you also have more road to play with. Hugging the gutter is a mugs game.
FFS - I've had a Beemer come towards me round a wide bend on a country lane half way over my side (when there was really no need) and the t*sser beeped at us ? If people ride/drive sensibly - there's no issue. Drive like an eedjit and there is.
You're being a bit of a ar*e, of course you can't stay left if there's a pothole etc, I'm talking two a breast down a windy lane or similar, where single file is an option. I'm not talking straight roads with the odd curve, I have no option but to drive and ride down country lanes and its always been hammered into me to stay left.
You may have a dickhead racing round the country lanes and there's little you can do to stop that, but you can help yourself with good road position.0 -
I have come to the conclusion that there is feck all you can do about the driver of a car, lorry or tractor. With this in mind I try to be as visible as possible, vigilant and put my bike in the safest position on the road.
I have noticed that a large % of cycle death's are from idiot drivers.......when its your time to go, nothing you can do about it :!: 0 -
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'''The driver wasn't prosecuted, so was he in the wrong?'''
has been the subject of very many threads here and elsewhere. You have not heard the outcome of the insurance claim .Raleigh Eclipse, , Dahon Jetstream XP, Raleigh Banana, Dawes super galaxy, Raleigh Clubman
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Always say hello from behind
Means they have to look around
Which gives me time to see how attractive they are, and whether its worth sticking around for a chat ...
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Bobbinogs wrote:I was out on a ride on Saturday with a small group and we got caught behind the local hunt.
I never have this problem as it normally involves a helicopter and half a dozen police cars.0 -
Bit of an occupational hazard round here. Always shout a friendly hello, even if they are coming towards me and have spotted me already. Apparently it's good to let the horse know you're a human, else they conclude you're some kind of predator and do all that reary-uppy wild eyed thing. I'm no physicist, but I suspect my expensive polystyrene cup type helmet wouldn't do much to protect me from a descending hoof with a horse on the end of it.0
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Thank God most of the comments were sensible, apart from a few idiots - Mrs Phil rode for years and was always keen to remind me that horses will spook at anything - it might not be you, but, a bit of paper in the hedge, so it might be pure coincidence that it leaps in the air just as you go past, and yeah, they are big and heavy. Best story she told me was when, out with a friend, a numpty in a fibreglass, bright orange, three wheeler, drew up behind them and blew his horn. Said friends horse lashed out in panic and they looked round to see driver sat amongst a pile of fibreglass debris, must have been quite a sight! You really need to see how much damage a steel shod hind leg will do at speed, I really wouldn't be relying on a helmet to do anything to help0
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Another tip my friend and I found out, if you approach a group of horses in the road (we ride in the new forest) then pass them on the same side, and don't spook them in to your mate 0
